Nikon Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR : Made in China vs. Made in Japan

Hello friends,
Today I show you a comparison I've wanting to do for a really long time.
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[@stjepanjina]

Thanks! 99% Identical, except for possible variation in sharpness for each lens separately!

[@diyextravaganza]

My bet on sharpness is that the Japan version is at latest from 2008, and I guess controls weren't that stringent at the time (lack of high resolution sensors), whereas the Chinese version, more recent, has benefit from evolution on sensor resolution and thus from a thorougher control.

[@lensman5762]

I work in a factory who manufactures machines with some highly sensitive electronic sensors. We also design our main boards. Due to the nature of my job, I am in close contact with both the senior mechanical and electronics engineers who are in charge of design, development and sustaining the systems. My worry is not whether a unit was manufactured in Japan or China at this day and age, as material sourcing and standard maunfacturing processes are probably identical bar some possible variations in QC. My worry is the relentless pressure from senior managment, VPs and Presidents to manufacture the same unit using more cost efficeient components. This is known as sustaing. I am well aware that the principle and senior engineers do their best to source components that would operate at the same level of reliability as the original design, but this is not always possible. As time goes by, a nasty idea takes hold, mainly pushed by the accountants that could we achieve 90% of the performance @ 70% of the cost? I know for sure that this happens, and I am sure that the later units manufactured in China, may not actually have components that were as robust and long lasting as the original.

[@diyextravaganza]

What you are saying is true for near everything today, poor quality materials and construction to satisfy the ever hungry consumer. Regarding lenses, I've disassembled lots of them, and on the modern ones, even high end, you see lots of plastic. On vintage ones, plastic was seldom used. My guess is that to create a change, customers need to stop supporting such behavior by buying less and reclaiming better quality. Best.

[@lensman5762]

Again, I can only draw onmy own experience in manufacturing. I doubt if the poor customer even understands what is going. You are correct that in our desire for cheap ownership of highend materials, we give the manufacturerthe perfect excuse to start cutting costs, but trust me they need no such encouragement. Present day Business Development Systems at work in all levels of manufacturing, constantly call for ' improvements ' which are nothing but a push to increase profits for the shareholder. This is where the damage is done. Once the company shows good profits for a few years, someone from the US, China or some Arab guy will turn up, pay billions for the company and all the usual suspects make a killing from the sales and the shares. Then the work force will be cut to make for a good start for the the new company. Once upon a time, A Leica M owner only had one or at max two Leica M lenses. Look at the circus now, from 21mm Apo this to 90mm Apo that, from 50mm F1.1 to 75 mm Apo F1.4, all present in the bag. Who is at fault here? The Manufacturer, the marketing company or the end user who thinks that ownership of a dozen Leica M lenses will make him or her a better photographer? @@diyextravaganza

[@marcingogowski6077]

thank you!

[@diyextravaganza]

You're welcome !

[@JordanDorey]

C'est super intéressant de découvrir une chaine axé sur ces aspects là de la photo, je m'a bonne! ;)

[@diyextravaganza]

Bienvenu!

[@721MrG]

The only major difference between these lenses is labor cost. There are minor differences between lenses produced in same factory whether they produced in China or Japan.

[@diyextravaganza]

true

[@gewglesux]

Still costs the same to me when i drop the CC on the counter- no matter where it's built.

[@721MrG]

@@gewglesux Of course, that's because we as customers, we are excluded from direct cost equation, unlike raw materials and working force :D, the company must find ways to reduce costs while keeping same level of the product quality standard, like cheaper work force or cheaper materials.

[@gewglesux]

@@721MrG Agreed. I'd prefer my Glass being made in Japan... I had an issue with one of my 70-200's I traded it as it and bought the later model

[@jeffreyhall6311]

Please Nikon, make your lenses anywhere but China.

[@diyextravaganza]

hahahaha

[@gewglesux]

Hear Hear!!

[@dlmp70]

Amen! 🙏

[@gewglesux]

@@dlmp70 how about this? I’ll pay the difference.

[@zddgd]

@@gewglesux yes, pay a cheaper price.

[@jmk137]

To do a true test comparison you must use a gray card and compare lines per square inch. You’re testing is not controlled.

[@diyextravaganza]

thanks for your input.

[@BenTascon]

Beau boulot. Petite comparaison que j'aurais fait : le poids des deux objectifs, est-il le même ?

[@diyextravaganza]

Merci, 1 gr de difference.

[@BenTascon]

@@diyextravaganza Donc la construction et la "mécanique" sont identiques. Seuls la finition et le traitement des lentilles peuvent être différents. Je préfère les couleurs du "Made in Japan".

[@diyextravaganza]

@@BenTascon oui, je pense comme toi, et oui, moi aussi je prefère les couleurs légerement plus chaudes du made in Japan

[@allys537]

I would say that the sample size for a true scientific test is too small, this seems normal sample variation to me.

[@diyextravaganza]

Thanks for your comment, exactly what I said at the end of the video.

[@allys537]

@@diyextravaganza yes, of course. I watched the whole video. It's nice to see someone doing comparison videos on different samples of the same lens. :-)

[@diyextravaganza]

@@allys537 thanks, I always wondered which were the differences between these two guys.

[@allys537]

@@diyextravaganza On a side note, my copy of this lens is very full of dust. I don't use it often but it has become very dusty inside the elements.

[@diyextravaganza]

@@allys537 I know, it happened to mine too. I made a tutorial for fixing this issue two weeks ago, here it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3aygoKqZtqFsK8

[@gewglesux]

Nikon.... Just make your stuff in Japan...Just like Leica Makes their stuff in Germany.

[@LCCATCX]

No problem! As long as you are willing to pay "Leica" price.

[@gewglesux]

@@LCCATCX I just got entry level Leica. I understand why they cost so much.

[@diyextravaganza]

well, this lens is by no means cheap !

[@gewglesux]

@@diyextravaganza I agree. I have it.. I just have to find a place for it.. in my bag. I never looked to see where mine was made. I might be afraid to look.

[@diyextravaganza]

@@gewglesux Don't look and just enjoy your photography.